Get ready for the NCEA Level 1 Energy Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with clear explanations and hints. Prepare for success!

Multiple Choice

Which symbol represents latent heat?

Latent heat is the energy involved when a substance changes its state (like melting or boiling) without a change in temperature. This energy goes into altering the bonds between particles, not into raising their average speed, so the temperature remains constant during the change. The symbol used for this energy is L. When you add heat to cause a phase change, the amount of heat equals mass times latent heat, Q = mL. The other symbols describe temperature (T), volume (V), and pressure (P), which are not the energy tied to a phase change. So L is the correct symbol for latent heat.

Latent heat is the energy involved when a substance changes its state (like melting or boiling) without a change in temperature. This energy goes into altering the bonds between particles, not into raising their average speed, so the temperature remains constant during the change. The symbol used for this energy is L. When you add heat to cause a phase change, the amount of heat equals mass times latent heat, Q = mL. The other symbols describe temperature (T), volume (V), and pressure (P), which are not the energy tied to a phase change. So L is the correct symbol for latent heat.